22 research outputs found
Defect introduced paramagnetism and weak localization in two-dimensional metal VSe2
We have carried out a detailed investigation of the magnetism, valence state, and magnetotransport in VSe2 bulk single crystals, as well as in laminates obtained by mechanical exfoliation. In sharp contrast to the ferromagnetic behavior reported previously, here, no ferromagnetism could be detected for VSe2 single crystal and laminate from room temperature down to 2 K. Neither did we find the Curie paramagnetism expected due to the 3d 1 odd-electronic configuration of covalent V4+ ions. Rather, intrinsic VSe2 is a non-magnetic alloy without local moment. Only a weak paramagnetic contribution introduced by defects is noticeable below 50 K. A weak localization effect due to defects was also observed in VSe2 single crystals for the first time
The Associated Ion between the VDR Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Clinicopathological Features in Subjects Infected with HBV
Aim. To evaluate the possible association between the vitamin D receptor (VDR), single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Method. 968 chronic HBV infection patients were enrolled, of which 436 patients were diagnosed HCC patients, and 532 were non-HCC patients. The clinicopathological characteristics of HCC were evaluated. The genotypes of VDR gene at FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI were determined. Results. The genotype frequencies of VDR FokI C>T polymorphism were significantly different between HCC and non-HCC groups. HCC patients had a higher prevalence of FokI TT genotype than non-HCC subjects. With FokI CC as reference, the TT carriage had a significantly higher risk for development of HCC after adjustments with age, sex, HBV infection time, Ī±-fetoprotein, smoking status, and alcohol intake. In addition, we also found that the TT genotype carriage of FokI polymorphisms were associated with advanced tumor stage, presence of cirrhosis, and lymph node metastasis. The SNP at BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI did not show positive association with the risk and clinicopathological features of HCC. Conclusion. The FokI C>T polymorphisms may be used as a molecular marker to predict the risk and to evaluate the disease severity of HCC in those infected with HBV
Reconstructing 1D Fe Singleāatom Catalytic Structure on 2D Graphene film for Highāefficiency Oxygen Reduction Reaction
The ordinary intrinsic activity and disordered distribution of metal sites in zero/one-dimensional (0D/1D) single-atom catalysts (SACs) lead to inferior catalytic efficiency and short-term endurance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which restricts the large-scale application of hydrogenāoxygen fuel cells and metalāair batteries. To improve the activity of SACs, a mild synthesis method was chosen to conjugate 1D Fe SACs with 2D graphene film (Fe SAC@G) that realized a composite structure with well-ordered atomic-Fe coordination configuration. The product exhibits outstanding ORR electrocatalytic efficiency and stability in 0.1ā
M KOH aqueous solution. DFT-D computational results manifest the intrinsic ORR activity of Fe SAC@G originated from the newly-formed FeN4āOāFeN4 bridge structure with moderate adsorption ability towards ORR intermediates. These findings provide new ways for designing SACs with high activity and long-term stability
Probing Ligand-Induced Cooperative Orbital Redistribution That Dominates Nanoscale MoleculeāSurface Interactions with One-Unit-Thin TiO 2 Nanosheets
Understanding the general electronic principles underlying moleculeāsurface interactions at the nanoscale is crucial for revealing the processes based on chemisorption, like catalysis, surface ligation, surface fluorescence, etc. However, the electronic mechanisms of how surface states affect and even dominate the properties of nanomaterials have long remained unclear. Here, using one-unit-thin TiO2 nanosheet as a model surface platform, we find that surface ligands can competitively polarize and confine the valence 3d orbitals of surface Ti atoms from delocalized energy band states to localized chemisorption bonds, through probing the surface chemical interaction at the orbital level with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). Such ligand-induced orbital redistributions, which are revealed by combining experimental discoveries, quantum calculations, and theoretical analysis, are cooperative with ligand coverages and can enhance the strength of chemisorption and ligation-induced surface effects on nanomaterials. The model and concept of nanoscale cooperative chemisorption reveal the general physical principle that drives the coverage-dependent ligand-induced surface effects on regulating the electronic structures, surface activity, optical properties, and chemisorption strength of nanomaterials
Unusual Enrichment and Assembly of TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanocrystals at Water/Hydrophobic Interfaces in a Pure Inorganic Phase
We report an unusual enrichment and
assembly of TiO<sub>2</sub> nanocrystals at water/hydrophobic interfaces
through oxidative hydrolysis
of TiCl<sub>3</sub> in water. The assembly is a spontaneous process
that involves on-water inorganic reaction and assembly in the absence
of any organic phases. In this process, TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles
are preferentially produced at water/hydrophobic interfaces. When
the surface tension of the aqueous phase is above a critical value,
ca. 25ā35 mN m<sup>ā1</sup>, these TiO<sub>2</sub> nanocrystals
can spontaneously accumulate at water/air interfaces to produce macroscopic
sized sheets and tubes
FeāNāC single-atom catalysts with an axial structure prepared by a new design and synthesis method for ORR
FeāNāC single-atom catalysts usually exhibit poor ORR activity due to their unsatisfactory O2 adsorption and activation. Here, a new design idea and tailored self-assembly synthesis method are reported to improve their ORR performance. DFT calculations indicate that the ORR electrocatalytic activity of FeāNāC single-atom catalysts with an axial structure is superior to that of FeāNāC single-atom catalysts with a FeāN4 active site. In order to experimentally demonstrate the difference, FeāNāC single-atom catalysts with a FeāN5 active site were successfully synthesized on the surface of monolayer graphene. XANES, SEM, HRTEM, XRD, Raman and XPS analyses indicate that the synthesized FeāNāC catalyst possessed nanofibre morphology and a curved layer-like crystal structure. For comparison, FePc powder was used as the FePc(FeāN4) catalyst as its molecular structure involves a FeāN4 active site embedded in carbon six-membered rings. The current density of the synthesized FeāN5/C@G catalyst at a potential of 0.88 V vs. RHE is 1.65 mA cmā2, which is much higher than that of the FePc(FeāN4) catalyst (1.04 mA cmā2) and even higher than that of commercial Pt/C catalyst (1.54 mA cmā2). The results are very well consistent with the DFT calculations, verifying the dependability and accuracy of DFT calculations. This work reports a new synthetic idea to obtain better performance and proposes a formation mechanism to explain the process of the synthesis method